Monday, 29 June 2015

Many people believe that medical procedures have to hurt, particularly if they involve needles or other sharp instruments. They can hurt, of course, but you may be surprised to know that pain is not a given. Fear and pain are natural protective mechanisms that parents can help switch off -- and the earlier you start, the easier it is.

Do your homework and go prepared. It’s not hit and miss whether a child learns to cope – it’s a combination of their previous experiences, how well prepared they are, and what the adults say and do. Instead of relying solely on the healthcare professionals, find out in advance how you can be a positive influence, reduce the perception of threat and help your child feel safe and comfortable. You may be surprised how much research has already been done.

Get all the important tips from a tiny tot in It doesn’t have to hurt from the Centre for Paediatric Pain Research in Canada.

Children sense and watch what’s going on around them and adults need to stay calm; it is the key to a child’s sense of security. As a parent, I also know it can be hard and may require faith, combined with an Oscar-winning performance, to present the medical world as a safe and friendly environment. “You have to be brave for your child” is how one experienced mum put it.

It’s not helpful when parents identify with their child’s potential or actual suffering and show their own emotions. If you are releasing a cascade of anxiety-producing hormones, then your young child will too, amplifying any fear and pain.

Remembering to breathe and watching the natural rhythm of your breath can make a big difference.

“It’s not about being demanding. It is what works for my son. We are positive and confident when we go for procedures and we have never had a problem. It has changed our perspective on the hospital.” Parent and health rights lawyer Liz Bishop, who has more to say in the video Listen to a parent’s experience.

When parents and health professionals all work together as one harmonious team, each bringing their complementary areas of knowledge and expertise, medical procedures can become a source of resilience and mastery for children.

Thursday, 18 June 2015

Refugee Week is here. “With Courage let us all combine is the theme and is taken from the second verse of our national anthem, emphasising both the pluck it takes to flee persecution and establish yourself in a new country and the courage required by all Australians to build a protective and safe environment for refugees in these politically difficult times”. (Media Release, Refugee Council of Australia).

By looking at refugee children during Refugee week we create awareness surrounding their vulnerability. Reading about children currently in detention is all the more important because information is not freely or easily shared by Australians who work or have worked in detention centres. Doctors who work in detention facilities now face 2-year jail terms if they reveal details of any abuse or substandard care they have witnessed.

Listening to people who were child refugees, now older and living in our communities, is a learning experience many will take up during Refugee week. The Asylum Seekers Centre partnered with the City of Sydney are hosting an event, “Different Pasts, Shared Future: an evening of stories, music and inspiration”. It celebrates the contribution of refugees and asylum seekers in Australia. Holroyd High School principal, Dorothy Hoddinott, AO, winner of the 2014 Human Rights medal and Nooria Wazefadost, a former student of Holroyd High and member of the Hazara Women of Australia Association, will be amongst the speakers.

School children and college students around Sydney, Wollongong and Melbourne are finding out what it is like to be a refugee by taking part in the Refugee Council of Australia’s incursion. Their Schools Program involves Refugee speakers who share personal stories giving students the opportunity to learn from their experiences and contributions to Australian society.

Wednesday, 3 June 2015

When it comes to medical imaging why won't kids just smile
for the camera? Children have trouble staying still at the best of times and
when feeling unwell, unfamiliar experiences can become especially daunting.
Their parents are often anxious too, about their child's health and radiation
risks. As children can have increased risks from radiation exposure so it's important that scans
are completed with a minimum number of takes.So how do we get kids to comply?

Paediatric
hospitals have the benefit of staff who are trained and experienced with kids. Many
employ Child Life Therapists specifically
to prepare children for procedures like scans and help them to develop coping
strategies. University trained Child Life Therapists have extensive knowledge
of both child development and medical procedures. This places them in a unique
position to bring the two together as harmoniously as possible.

When your child needs a scan:How you can navigate these potential
pitfalls.

1) RADIATION:

Check
with the doctor: is the scan necessary? Is it need immediately?Are there any alternatives with less
radiation?

If
booking with a private radiology practice for a non-urgent scan, ask if
Radiography staff have experience with children.How, specifically, do they help kids with
scans? If you don't feel assured of a child friendly approach, then shop around
(if possible).

2) INJECTIONS:

Check in
advance whether the scan requires an injection of contrast. This will allow you
to prepare your child for every aspect of their treatment.

If
yes, then request a numbing cream such as Emla or LMX4 be used.

Is
your child needle phobic? Discreetly let the staff know. If child life
therapists are not available, try distracting your child with a book, game, or
reassuring words.

3) SEDATION:

There are instances where it's necessary to sedate
children, either to avoid pain or because zero movement can occur.

Check
the necessity for sedation, which type, and the risks associated.

Prepare
your child for having that type of sedation

If general
anaesthetic will be used, prepare your child for an overnight hospital stay.

4) BREATH
HOLDS:

Is
your child required to perform breath holds for their scan? These are generally
needed for abdominal and chest scans. Learning this skill in advance of
scanning helps the radiographer get the pictures they need. This means less
retakes and less radiation.

Take
the time to coach your child in breath holding in advance. Try to make it fun
by doing it in the bath or pool, using counting games and blowing bubbles.

5) WAITING
LISTS:

Non-urgent
scans at paediatric hospitals may involve waiting lists. If you’d like the scan
sooner ask your referring doctor if it can be done by another hospital or
clinic. Consider your options in consultation with them.

For
further assistance with preparing children for scans and injections, or
appropriate distraction techniques during those procedures, contact Child Life
Therapy at your child's hospital. If attending a private clinic you can consult
a Child Life Therapist in private practice.

Renee has over 7 years’ experience as a Child Life Therapist (formerly
Play Therapist) at the Sydney
Children’s Hospital Randwick (SCH) where she helped establish their MRI
Play Therapy program. In that time she conducted research into children’s
coping in medical imaging and helped children as young as 4yrs old to have
their scans without anaesthetic.

Currently, Renee remains employed at SCH part-time in the Medical Day
Unit assisting children and adolescents to cope with invasive procedures. She
also has a private practice
helping children with healthcare needs and parents of newborns with sleep
guidance.